School Chemical Safety

A primary responsibility of any school is to keep their students and staff safe.  The many chemicals present in a school are a potential threat to that safety unless the school provides appropriate storage, use, disposal, planning, and training.  This page provides some guidance and resources to achieve those needs.

In October 2023, the State of New Hampshire adopted Administrative Rule ED 320 for school facility approval which requires a Chemical Safety Hygiene Plan (CSHP) that identifies at a minimum the same requirements as the federal Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). NH is not an OSHA state and develops its own standards which at a minimum must meet the OSHA standards.

The NH Administrative Rule includes language for “all science labs, automotive shops, and other places where hazardous liquids or open flames are frequently used.” It also includes language for a facility maintenance plan addressing custodial training, integrated pest management plan, and a healthy indoor air quality plan. This CSHP will include all departments having chemicals: art, automotive, biology, chemistry, custodial, industrial arts. This is critical as science labs have traditionally been the focus of chemical safety efforts and yet, other classrooms such as art studios use chemicals in projects with students.

UVLSRPC continues to provide educational materials and trainings with funding primarily through the USDA and US EPA.

In 2026, UVLSRPC continues to work with Becky Andersen of Hazardous Materials Consulting in Missouri to provide 12 live webinars for School Chemical Safety which were recorded and are available on our YouTube Channel. See the full history of UVLSRPC school chemical safety projects here.

Click on the resources below for links to recorded webinars and other materials:

• UVLSRPC YouTube Channel – provides links to our school chemical safety webinar training playlists.
• NH Department of Environmental Services – provides guidance for chemical safety
• The Laboratory Safety Institute – provides schools with training including scholarships for training
• Hazardous Materials Consulting – provides services for school training and chemical evaluation
• Arts, Crafts, and Theater Safety – provides chemical safety information for art studios and theaters.
• Golden Artist Colors – provides a page for chemical safety in the art studio using their products.
• Comic Books for School Chemical Hygiene Plans – a comic book illustration of chemical safety guides, see below:
  • Chemical Safety in the Art Room
  • Identifying Hazardous Chemicals in the Classroom   
  • Checklist: Administrator’s Roles & Responsibilities
  • How to Set Up a Chemical Safety & Hygiene Plan

For more information, contact Vickie Davis at vdavis@uvlsrpc.org